Lakeshore is one of my favorite sources to furnish and supply my classroom. Although I don't live near one anymore (#sadsville), I still order plenty each year! When they contacted me to do a review on one of their new STEM products, I nearly flipped out of my chair. ME!? A review!? For a product from "teacher heaven" store? Why yes.

I didn't even realize this because I've been in the kindergarten-business-fog, but they have a lot of new great STEM products (I want them all) and I just couldn't pass up the Engineer-A-Coaster set. Honestly, I picked the product that I thought my kids would go nuts over, and they did.

Oh, how they did. I don't usually hear arguing in my room, but this brought it out. They all want to use it. ALL. THE. TIME.

This set is totally hands-on. As you can see, there are big chunky pieces to move around. The basic premise of the product is to essentially "engineer a roller coaster", as cleverly described in the product name. Kids move the blue tracks around, place the brown drop bin at the bottom, then test their creations with little cog wheels. There are cards included to give them some ideas, but they usually go rogue. They like to create the most ridiculous track formation possible (using every single piece). They're 5 and 6. It wouldn't be natural for them to follow the "recommended" track patterns. Haha! This set gives them a real-life experience with forces, motion, gravity, speed, and or course... big crashes. They LOVE it. Of course I sometimes have to steer them towards a more conservative design, but it's amazing to see some of the designs they've come up with.

They'll hold you hostage until you let them play with it. I'm not kidding. The first time I got it out, I nearly got mauled. They came up with the idea to create a sign-up sheet and take 5 minute turns with a buddy. Smart kiddos. :) We have had this thing for about a month and it is still the number 1 activity they request during any sort of free time or indoor recess. As you can see, I have a big magnetic drip pan (found in the WalMart automotive section next to the oil) and it is perfect for two of them to synergize together to engineer their own coasters. The one pictured above didn't fare well. They told me it was a "disaster and anyone who would have been riding a real roller coaster like that would die." Touche, guys.

I don't think I have to tell you, but this product promotes so many things....

Problem solving

Teamwork

Trial & Error

Patience

Persistence

and having fun... obviously

Excuse my dusty kitchen table, but look at all the goodies! The set is really well made and I can't foresee having an issue with breakage. I may laminate my cards or put them on some sort of ring because they have gotten a little tattered from all the use. They're still in overall great shape though! You receive everything shown in the photo and the pieces are really easy to use with smaller hands. It did take mine about a day or two to get use to the super strong magnets, but they're pros now. It's actually a great fine motor activity for those kids who have have weak hand muscles.

I've used it for science, but we also use it for indoor recess! You could even use the pieces to make letters (ones that have "sticks"), or even take it home for your own sweetie! Here are some other places you can stick the pieces to if you don't happen to have an easel or magnetic board handy...

a fridge

washer/dryer if you have one that's not a front-load

metal door

you car (it's a stretch, but you could totally slap those things on the side of your suburban if you get desperate while your're tailgating with friends... and need a kid-friendly activity)

I went ahead and spent about 8 hours creating a video for you. Haha! No lie, I'm terrible at these and haven't made one in a while. There's a demo of how it works at the end! Yay!

NOTE: I made this in HD and it is still really fuzzy. I'm going to play with it and try to figure out what's going on.